Hornell High School proudly hosted its fourth annual HHS Business Day on Tuesday, June 3. This event brought together representatives from the Hornell High School Business Advisory Board and key members of the local business community. Throughout the day, these professionals engaged with our students, attending presentations from our various business classes and offering invaluable networking opportunities to our senior business students as they prepare for their college journeys. 

This year’s business projects began with Entrepreneurship students originating ideas for three new Hornell businesses. From there, the students in Web Development and Cybersecurity, Accounting, and Personal Finance classes were divided into teams and collaborated virtually to prepare presentations for the three businesses. Students from each class presented their part of the presentation to our business guests in a “Shark Tank”-style presentation. The business representatives posed questions and provided feedback to each of the groups. 

Following the presentations, the ACE Professionalism class was given the opportunity to meet with our business professionals and enjoy a networking business luncheon provided by First Heritage Bank. During this time, the students were able to talk about their future college and career plans and hear advice from our board members.

The final highlight of the day was the NYS Business and Marketing Honor Society Induction ceremony. The NYS Business and Marketing Honor Society recognizes those students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in a secondary business/marketing program. To be eligible, students must complete three units in the business/marketing program by the end of the current school year if they are a senior or two units with plans to continue for a third if they are a junior. Within these business classes, students must have an average of 88% or higher, while they must also maintain a minimum of an 80% overall G.P.A. In addition, students selected for recognition must demonstrate, both in the classroom and through extracurricular involvement, character, leadership, and service. Current members Kellen Crowe, Quinn Mauro, Mia Nasca, Matthew Robinson, and Claire Rose shared the stage to induct our newest members. Robert Peisher, of Peish Video Productions, served as this year’s guest speaker. The 2025 inductees were: Sarina Chace, Demayne Dixon, Jordyn Dyring, Austyn Gollnitz, Jayden Rasephei, Alexandria Simpson and Calem Striker.

The Hornell High School Business Department would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the members of our Business Department Advisory Board who continue to guide and support us in providing the best possible business education to our students. A special thanks goes out to the following area business people who took the time out of their busy schedules to participate in the day’s events: Carrie Foley of ServU Federal Credit Union, Christy Parsons of First Heritage Federal Credit Union, Jasmine Jarbeck of HPG, Lynda Koehler of Hunt Realty, Todd Burritt of 7 Mountains Media, Tamara VanVleck of Catholic Charities, Danielle White of Alfred State College, and former HHS Business teachers Holly Hogan and Lenny Caruso. 

In addition, we would like to thank the corporate sponsors for the day, Wegmans and First Heritage Federal Credit Union who so generously donated the food and beverages that helped to make this day a success!